Accommodation levels in Rio de Janeiro are anticipated to be at full occupancy during the conference. While it is not the responsibility of the United Nations to procure accommodation for the media, it should be noted that the Brazilian national organizing committee for Rio+20 has committed to blocking a minimum of 500 hotel rooms in Rio de Janeiro for media covering the conference. Costs must be covered by the media. For more details, visit: http://www.rio20.gov.br For information regarding room availability please contact: Terramar Travel Agency

After seven years of debate in the Brazilian Federal Chamber, the House approved, on 5th October 2011 Wednesday, the creation of the Statute of Youth. This is a significant step forward.

Daniel Iliescu, President of the National Union of Students (UNE) stresses that this "represents a significant step towards the consolidation of the achievements and rights of the nation's youth."

This bill now goes to the Senate proceedings. As it is expected to be voted on later this year, the UNE calls for youth to contact their government representatives. "The statute is well tailored between Members and it comes as a consensus in the Senate for approval," says the president of UNE.

The Statute sets out principles and guidelines for the creation and public policy organization for Brazilians aged between 15 and 29 years. In evaluating Paulo Vinicius, Secretary nacionalde Youth Center Workers from Brazil (CTB) and member of the National Youth Council (CONJUVE), the approval of the instrument is another step in the legal recognition of young people as a segment of civil society and a formal recognition of their rights.

Vinicius remember that only last year, with the approval of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) of Youth, is that the Brazilian Constitution incorporates the understanding that young people represent a segment that demands specific public policies. "These awards represent the legal basis for the consolidation of youth policies as a matter of state, exceeding the scope of government," he says.

Education, urban mobility, work and income, and the creation of a Youth Council are some of the topics covered by the proposed. According to Daniel Ilescu, the adoption of the Statute of Youth takes place in an unprecedented historical moment in Brazil and calls this the "demographic bonus". Youth (aged between 15 and 29) currently represents more than 50 million people in the population of Brazil. This is the highest percentage they have been in the countires history. Based on this, youth policies should be seen as a challenge to the strategic development of Brazil. "If there is a mindfulness citizenship of young people, as they hope to achieve development?"

Some key points in the text of the Statute of Youth, according to information from the Federal Chamber:

- 30%, at least the resources of the National Culture Fund should be allocated preferentially to cultural programs and projects targeting youth.
- Media (Radio and television) will have to devote special space aimed at young people
- Government will take action to preparation youth for the labor market, with first priority to employment programs and the introduction of direct learning in public administration.
- To coordinate the various policies of municipalities, states and Unions aimed at young people, there will be a National System of Youth (Sinajuve), coordinated by the federal government, with participation of all governments.
- Governments to create youth councils to collaborate in the formulation of public policies.